Multi-compartment container for pourable substances

ABSTRACT

A multiple compartment container for pourable substances, particularly liquids, comprising first and second container portions, at least one foil for separating said first and second container portions, a severing device for severing the foil, a spindle for rotatably supporting the severing device, and a rotatable activating device connected with the severing device for joint rotation therewith.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a multiple-compartment container for pourablesubstances, particularly liquids, in which the interior spaces of afirst and a second container portion are separated from one another byat least one foil, and a device is provided for severing the foil.

Containers for liquids and also other pourable substances such aspowders and granules, which make it possible to preserve a plurality ofsubstances separately and in which the substances can be mixed shortlybefore use are known.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the known multiple-compartment containers (DE-GM 77 07 618)consists of two cells which are arranged one above the other and areconnected with one another so as to be detachable, and which can bedisplaced relative to one another and are kept at a distance from oneanother in such a way that a foil separating their interior spaces fromone another can be severed by reducing the distance between the cells.The distance can be reduced by rotation if the cells are provided with athread according to a development of the known multiple-compartmentcontainer. However, this known multiple-compartment container is quitecostly to produce.

Another known multiple-compartment container (EP-PS No. 0 101 594)consists of a one-piece base container and a one-piece top containerwhich are separated from one another by means of a separating foil. Thebase container is deformable a punching tool is provided therewhich isadapted to the cross section of the container and which penetrates theseparating foil when the base container is deformed. In this knownmultiple-compartment container, a relatively high force is required forpenetrating the separating foil.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a multiple-compartmentcontainer which can be produced at low cost and is simple to fill andeasy to handle when mixing and applying the substances.

The multiple-compartment container according to the invention ischaracterized in that a spindle is provided in the first containerportion, a device for severing being supported on the spindle so as tobe rotatable, and a rotatable activating device is connected with thedevice for severing for joint rotation therewith.

The multiple-compartment container according to the invention issuitable for receiving various pourable substances. A preferredapplication consists in the packaging of hair dye compositions, whereina peroxide solution is kept in the first container portion and a dyeingsubstance is kept in the second container portion.

A further development of the multiple-compartment container, accordingto the invention, consists in that the activating device and thesevering device are axially displaceable relative to one another and inthat the activating device is secured against axial displacement.Accordingly, the handling of the multiple-compartment containeraccording to the invention is further improved.

Advantageous constructions of the multiple-compartment containeraccording to the invention consist in that the activating devicecomprises an annular portion which partially encloses the firstcontainer portion and is constructed as an upright ring.

Additional advantageous constructions relate to a support and theconnection of the activating device with the severing device. Thus, theactivating device comprises a pivot which is supported in an axiallyextending bore of the spindle and its end which faces the interior spaceof the first container portion, is constructed as a driver for thesevering device. It is advantageous that the pivot be provided with acircumferentially extending flange which, together with acircumferentially extending groove in the bore, forms an axialprotection of the activating device.

At least one sealing ring can be provided at the spindle for sealing theinterior space of the first container portion.

In order to achieve severing of the foil relatively brief rotation, itis provided, according to another development of the invention, that thespindle comprises a coarse thread.

Other developments concern advantageous constructions of the device forsevering. Thus, it can be provided, for example, that the device forsevering comprises a spindle nut and at least one arm which extends inthe radial and axial directions and whose end remote from the spindlenut is constructed as a cutting edge. A plurality of arms can beprovided which are connected with one another in a ring-shaped manner inthe area of the cutting edges.

In order to improve the mixing process, the severing device can comprisedevices for improving the mixing of the substances, particularly guideblades, according to another development.

Another advantageous construction of the multiple-compartment container,according to the invention, consists in that the container portions areclosed by a foil at the surface facing the other respective containerportion, in that one of the container portions comprises acircumferentially extending edge, and in that the other containerportion is provided with a snap ring grasping the circumferentiallyextending edge. A simple joining of the container portions after theyare filled is accordingly ensured on the one hand. On the other hand, asecure sealing of the containers relative to one another and from theoutside results.

The pouring of the mixed substances is facilitated, according to anotherdevelopment, in that the first container portion can be creased.

Finally, an advantageous construction consists in that the secondcontainer portion comprises a pouring opening, and in that the innerwall of the second container portion is provided with ribs at least inthe area of the pouring opening.

The invention as to its construction so to its method of operation,together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be bestunderstood from the following description of the preferred embodimentswith reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of amulti-compartment container according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of amulti-compartment container according to the present invention.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 identical parts are provided with identical referencenumerals.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The multiple-compartment container shown in FIG. 1 comprises a firstcontainer portion 1--henceforth called the lower portion--and a secondcontainer portion 2--henceforth called the upper portion. Both portionsare produced from a plastic material in a manner known per se. Theinterior spaces of the container portions are separated from one anotherby means of foils 3, 4 and each container portion receives a substance.The upper portion 2 comprises a pouring opening 5 which can be closed bya locking cap. A circumferentially extending edge 7 is provided at theupper portion 2 for connecting the two container portions with oneanother, while the lower portion is provided with a snap ring 8 whichslides along the circumferentially extending edge 7 of the upper portion2 when the container portions are joined together. The snap ringradially deformed and contracts again as soon as the annular shoulder 9has passed over the circumferentially extending edge 7.

A spindle 10, which is connected in one piece with the lower portion andcomprises a coarse thread 11, is located at the base of the lowerportion. A spindle nut 12, which likewise is made of a plastic materialand comprises arms 13, 14, and whose ends carry a ring 15 provided withtwo cutting edges 16, 17, engages the spindle 10.

In order to rotate the spindle nut and accordingly simultaneously rotateand lift the cutting edges 16, 17, an activating device 18 is providedwhich comprises a peg 19 which is supported in an axial bore of thespindle 10. Moreover, the activating device is constructed as a ring 20which can easily be grasped with one hand for the purpose of rotating,while the other hand holds the multiple-compartment container. The ring20 encloses a portion of the lower portion which has a smaller radius. Acircumferentially extending shoulder 21 is accordingly formed on whichthe ring 20 is supported. This and a corresponding construction of thelower edge of the ring 20, ensure that the multiple-compartmentcontainer stands securely.

In order to prevent the ring 20 from axial movement during its rotation,the rotationally locking connection between the peg 19 and the spindlenut 12 (e.g. in the form of a rectangle or hexagon) is constructed so asto be axially displaceable. In addition, the activating device 18 issecured against an axial displacement and against falling out,respectively, by a circumferentially extending flange 22 which engages acircumferentially extending groove 23. A sealing lip 24 seals theinterior space of the lower portion 1 relative to the bore in thespindle.

The multiple-compartment container, according to the invention, isassembled and filled in the following manner. The device for severingthe foil is inserted in the lower portion 1 wherein the spindle nut 12is screwed onto the spindle 10. The activating device 18 is theninserted into the bore of the spindle 10 until it snaps in. The lowerportion can then be filled and welded with a foil 3. The locking cap 6is screwed onto the upper portion 2, whereupon the upper portion 2 isfilled upside-down and welded with the foil 4. The two containerportions are then pressed against one another so that the snap ring 8snaps over the circumferentially extending edge 7.

In order to mix the two substances, the ring 20 is turned by somewhatmore than one revolution relative to the lower portion 1, whereupon thecutting edges 16, 17 move upward along the outer wall of the lowerportion 1. In so doing, the cutting edges penetrate into the foil andcut it circularly. The two substances are mixed by forceful shakingcorrespondingly constructed arms 13, 14 reinforce the mixing process.The rectangle or hexagon, respectively, is shorter than the thread 11,so that the spindle nut 12 remains on the spindle when the foils 3, 4are severed. The device for severing the foil thus remains in place whenthe container is shaken. After detaching the locking cap 6, the mixturecan be removed by lightly creasing the upside-down container.

Polypropylene or polystyrene are suitable material for the upper portion2 and the activating device 18. The lower portion 1, which can becreased, can be produced from polyethylene. A different selection ofmaterials adapted to the respective use is left to the person skilled inthe art.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the container portions and theactivating device, per se, are constructed in a manner similar to theembodiment form according to FIG. 1. However, the upper portion 2 isconstructed in such a way that it can be creased. The device forsevering the foil also differs from the embodiment according to FIG. 1.Specifically, the cutting edges 25, 26 are arranged at a cutting ringmember 27 which consists of a ring 28 and four arms, three of which arms29, 30, 31 are shown. In order to improve the mixing process, the armsare provided with guide blades 32, 33. Moreover, another seal 36 isarranged in a circumferentially extending groove 34 of the peg 35.

The lower portion 37 and the ring 38 are constructed somewhatdifferently relative to the corresponding parts in the embodimentaccording to FIG. 1, which, however, essentially has only an aestheticeffect.

In addition, a plurality of ribs 39, 40 are provided at the inner wallof the upper portion 2 in the embodiment example according to FIG. 2.The cut out foil is accordingly prevented from covering the pouringopening 5 and accordingly impeding an emptying of the container. In FIG.2, only two ribs are shown; the quantity and the shape of the ribs inparticular can be selected within the framework of the choices availableto the person skilled in the art.

While the invention has been illustrated and described with reference tospecific embodiments, it is not intended to e limited to the detailsshown, since various modifications and structural changes may be madewithout departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, be applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A multiple compartment container for pourable substances,particularly liquids, comprising first and second container portionseach having an interior space; at least one foil for separating saidfirst and second container portions; means for severing said foil; aspindle located in said first container portion for rotatably supportingsaid severing means; and rotatable activating means connected with saidsevering means for joint rotation therewith, said spindle comprising anaxially extending bore, and said activating means comprising a pivotreceived in said axially extending bore and having an end facing theinterior space of said first container portion, said end being formed asa driver for said severing means, said axially extending bore comprisinga circumferentially extending groove, and said pivot comprising acircumferentially extending flange cooperating with saidcircumferentially extending groove to form an axial protection for saidactivating means.
 2. A container according to claim 1, wherein saidactivating means is secured against axial displacement and said severingmeans is axially displaceable relative to said activating means.
 3. Acontainer according to claim 1, wherein said activating means includesan annular portion.
 4. A container according to claim 3, wherein saidannular portion is constructed as an upright ring partially enclosingsaid first container portion.
 5. A container according to claim 1,wherein said spindle has a free end formed as a sealing lip.
 6. Acontainer according to claim 1, wherein said spindle comprises a coarsethread.
 7. A container according to claim 1, wherein said severing meanscomprises a spindle nut and at least one arm extending in radial andaxial directions, said arm having opposite end s and said arm beingattached to said spindle nut at one of said opposite ends and having acutting edge at the other of said opposite ends.
 8. A containeraccording to claim 7, wherein said severing means comprises a pluralityof arm shaving opposite ends respectively, said arms being connected tosaid spindle nut at one of said opposite end sand having cutting edgesat the other of said opposite ends, respectively, said opposite endshaving said cutting edges being connected with each other in aring-shaped manner.
 9. A container according to claim 1, wherein each ofsaid first and second portion is filled with a substance, said severingmeans comprising means for improving mixing of the substances, saidimproving means comprising guide blades.
 10. A container according toclaim 1, wherein said first and second container portions have oppositesurfaces respectively closed by said foil, one of said first and secondcontainer portions having a circumferentially extending edge and theother of said first and second container portions being provided with asnap ring grasping said circumferentially extending edge.
 11. Acontainer according to claim 1, wherein said first container portion iscreased.
 12. A container according to claim 1, wherein said secondcontainer portion comprises a pouring opening and has an inner wallhaving ribs thereon at least in the area of said pouring opening.